The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CALABARZON through the Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) conducted a lecture cum consultation/ forum on Climate Change to 200 Junior High School students in Los Baños National High School (LBNHS), Los Baños, Laguna last November 17, 2016.

The lecture, which was done in celebration of the National Environmental Awareness Month this November, does not only aim to inform the students, but also to enjoin them in the combat against the effects of climate change.

The encouragement of Mr. Puna was not in vain as the students did actively participate during the whole activity. During the expectation setting, one of the students said: “I expect na mamumulat kami, siyempre sa amin dapat magsimula bilang kaming mga students ang nag-aaral nito at (eventually) pwede namin maconnect yung mga magiging profession namindito.”

Forester Jefferson Cruz of the Enforcement Division tackled the difference of global warming and climate change, discussed the various effects of climate change and the measures that are country has taken to adapt to it. He continued to engage the students during his lecture by giving them pop quizzes in between topics, to which the students happily answered to. A number of hands shooting up in the air can be seen during this part, showing that the students are really interested.

Cruz also mentioned that the people in the DENR are in the frontline on using the environment in climate change mitigation. However, he stressed that the participation of the community is important. “Hindi lang dapat government ang gumagalaw, kasama ang mamamayan. Kung kami lang at walang kooperasyon ng mamamayan, hindi magtatagumpay” he said. Forester Czarina Maria Gandeza, OIC of RPAO, in her closing remarks also emphasized the role of the community, most especially the youth, in fighting the effects of climate change. “Ang panahon ay nagbabago, panahon na para magbago.Sana makatulong namin kayo sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan.”(With VeranelleMerano)